Doc Hastings to Retire From Congress (Updated)

Updated, 1:51 p.m. | Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., will retire at the end of the year, he announced Thursday in a statement.

“It is with deep appreciation for that privilege that I announce that this will be my final term in office and that I will not run for reelection in November,” he said in a release.

Hastings is the 18th member of Congress to announce retirement this term, according to Roll Call’s Casualty List. GOP Rep. Gary G. Miller of California announced Wednesday he would not seek re-election. Though a host of high-profile lawmakers have said they will step down lately, it’s not close to the records set by previous Congresses.

It is unlikely Hastings’ 4th District will become competitive in an open-seat race. Mitt Romney carried the seat in 2012 by a 22-point margin.

At first glance, Washington State and national Republican operatives suggested as possible successors: former NFL tight end Clint Didier, former state Department of Agriculture Director Dan Newhouse, state Sens. Sharon Brown, Janea Holmquist Newbry and Curtis King; state Reps. Bruce Chandler, Brad Klippert, Matt Manweller and David Taylor.

Manweller does not live in the district, but his legislative seat overlaps with the 4th.

Pretty clear the retirements of so many of the “old bulls” particularly in the House, but also in the Senate is a result of polarization of the bodies and inability to find common ground on nearly any issue.

Blame goes to both Republicans and Democrats for failing to put the national interest above parochial concerns and partisanship. Having said that, the GOP/Tea Party class of 2010, who’s primary objective is to prevent government from functioning, deserves the lion’s share of the blame.

Finnegan A Lemerian

Good riddance. I wrote, not emailed, WROTE his office several times about concerns I had and all I ever received in return were boilerplate “press worthy” replies. Only reason he is still in office at this time is the good old boy network still alive and strong in this part of Washington state.